Tuesday, September 10, 2013

1973

Watergate & Westworld -- 1973 was a busy year for news and sci-fi. President Nixon's troubles began when the Watergate Scandal broke. American troops were being withdrawn from Vietnam. The Apes franchise wraps up and there were a couple of memorable landmark films produced. Soylent Green and Westworld made lasting impressions. Amid a fairly normal volume of independent and formulaic B films showing the influence of television style.

The Asphyx -- An 1800s photographer accidentally discovers the spirit of death and his own immortality.

The Crazies -- George Romero's variation on The Andromeda Strain. A secret government germ makes a small town go crazy.

Genesis II -- Gene Rodenberry's update on Buck Rogers. 20th century scientist is awakened in post-apocalyptic 24th century new Earth.

The Big Game -- Shadowy spies brainwash an inventor's son to try and steal his mind-control-radar device.

2 comments:

I can see the problem with 1973... It's a weak enough bunch that "Genesis II" rather stands out. Still, I would have to say that "Soylent Green" edges it out for me. BUT Just grabbing from my collection:"A Cold Nights Death" - 1973 (arguably supernatural, but lacking an actual explanation of events, I consider it, broadly, SF.)"World on a Wire" (German telefilm from 1973 in 3 parts - so, like the Quatermass serials, I suppose you won't cover it... Pity.)"Submersion of Japan" - Nippon Chinbotsu - 1973 (This is actually a VERY good movie. I just saw the intact version and it is amazing.)

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This site is an ongoing project to watch and review classic science fiction movies. New reviews are added roughly every week.I welcome comments, but this feature has to be moderated to stop spam. Please be patient.